Jologs

Jologs is a Filipino slang term or word used to describe persons, things or events who or which are poorly made, dirty-looking, corny and cheap. It is at times equated with "baduy," another Filipino word which means "out of style."

Contents

Origin

Filipino linguists and historians offer different theories as to the origin of the word. Although most of them agree that the earliest recorded usage of the term Jologs came from the Original Pilipino Music (OPM) lyrics of the early 90's, preceding the Internet, and an invention of the middle or upper class of Manila. Since then, the word/term has developed and evolved into sub-meanings which are usually deemed negative and offensive. Since the advent of the Internet, Jologs has found its way into different web-based dictionaries and authoritative blogs which have remained “true” to the derogatory term it denotes: the lowlife, typically poor, unrefined urban youth.

Food

Many Filipino linguists including sociologists agree that the term originated from 'diyolog' which stands for dilis (anchovies), tuyo (dried fish) and itlog (egg) — the food of the poor. And it was used like this: "Oh, look she eats diyolog." Later it became "Look, diyolog, o." Until the 'diy' got changed to 'j', hence 'jolog'.

Palanca Award winner Paolo Manalo, in his summary of the generally accepted theories of its etymology, stated that “Jolog came from Jolina (a Filipino actress). "Jol" from Jolina + "og" like the suffix -ite or -ian. But critics said they never heard of a suffix -og to mean "follower." Besides, the word was in existence before Jolina became a celebrity.

Pinoy Hip-Hop?

Some contend that the word originally referred to the Pinoy hip-hop. Hiphop fashion includes those very loose and wide pants that were 'huhulog-hulog' (kept falling). "Hulog" later was spelled "Julog" until it was pronounced "ju-log", then its final form: "jo-log".

Jaloux

Other linguists are geographically specific. For them, the term was coined by high school students in Quezon City, specifically those familiar with Quezon Avenue in the 80's. There was a disco, Jaloux, that was rumored to be owned or co-owned by Edu Manzano and was cheap compared to the popular discos of the time that were in Makati City. Disco-goers called it "the squatter of discos". The disco played "out-of-style" disco music, and people who frequented the place were young fashion victims. Jaloux, they said, evolved and became Jologs.

Jologs Phenomenon

A number of sociologists disputed the exaggeration of negative meaning associated with Jologs. They say that the word is certainly much more benign than other forms of prejudice and discrimination.